m  library  ubrary 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  Of  lainoss 


V 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


h  tt  ps  ://a  rc  h  i  ve .  o  rg/d  et  a  i  I  s/h  i  sto  ry  of  was  h  b  u  r  0  0  i  re  I 


HISTORY  OF  WASHBURN  SCHOOLS 


(The  following-  article,  which  will  be 
printed  serially  in  The  Leader  ,was 
written  by  Mr.  Frank  N.  Jxeland  by 
request,  for  the  Illinois  Centennial 
Commission,  and  constitutes  all  that 
the  author  has  been  able  to  find  by 
diligent  search  of  such  records  as  re- 
main, of  the  Hittry  of  Public  Schools 
in  our  village.  The  article  will  con- 
tinue for  several  weeks  and  will  occu- 
py this  location  and  uniform  space  in 
order  that  the  paper  may  be  clipped  in 
regularly  spaced  sections  for  preser- 
vation by  anyone  interested  in  our 
school  history.  Mr.  Ireland  has  given 
this  assignment  a  great  amount  of 
time  and  gone  to  no  little  trouble  in 
efforts  to  substantially  verify  all  his 
facts — many  of  which  are  from  va- 
grant memory  and  the  Commission 
was  fortunate  in  deailing  this  task 
with  its  large  amount  of  routine  to  one 
of  his  patience,  interest  and  ability. 
jWhile  these  installments  may  not  all 
ibe  of  interest  to  our  average  reader, 
;}  there  are  certain  to  be  many  facts  dis- 
Srlosed  which  will  amply  repay  any- 
one for  the  time  spent  in  reading  the 
series. — The  Editor.) 

^    Seventy-two  years  of  time  previous 
to  the  Illinois  Centennial  year,  goes 
_  back  to  a  time  when  the  memory  of 
man  runneth  not — I  know  of  but  one 
^  man,  who  lived  in  this  vicity  in  1846, 
\Siaiid  who  still  lives— Phillip  H.  Jenkins, 
who  built  the  two  first  buildings  of  the 
-f  Washburn  Schols— 1846,  and  1857.  He 
Ofstill  lives  feebly  at  97  years  of  age, 
A  n  waiting  the  time  of  passage  to  his 
<?  ?ong-sice  departed  generation;  and  his 
*  memory  of  his  Washburn  days  are  as 
i  -blank,  and  as  the  officials  of  those 


i 


early  days  neglected  to  loave  any 
schol  record,  or  very  brief  records  or 
the  officials  of  a  later  date  failed  to 
preserve  them,  or  both  perhaps,  and  as 
officials  still  fail  to  appreciate  the 
value  of  complete  records  to  those  who 
are  fast  filling  their  places,  it  is  little 
wonder  the  difficulty  which  faces  the 
historian  of  this  Centennial  year.  He 
can  only  with  feebleness  wrestle  with 
tradition  and  imperfect  or  blank  rec- 
ords and  write  a  story  which  will  pass 
for  history  of  Washburn  Schools,  and 
the  author,  a  harmless  crank,  who  has 
the  historic  bug,  but  time  heals  all 
abrasions  and  the  next  generation  will 
have  lost  nothing  by  the  efforts  made 
in  this  generation  to  gather  up  and 
preserve  the  past. 

F.  N.  I. 


History  of  Titles  to  Property. 

The  Village  of  Washburn  was  layed- 
out  by  Hiram  Echols  in  1851  at  a  point 
where  the  Old  State  Road  from 
Springfield  to  Ottawa  and  Chicago 
crosses  the  County  Line  between 
Woodford  and  Marshall  counties;  but 
the  Schools  of  Washburn  antedated  all 
fhese  things. 

*    *  * 

On  the  26th  day  of  September,  A.D. 
1846,  Henry  D.  Palmer,  a  minister  of 
the  Christian  church  and  a  resident  of 
"the  County  of  Marshall  and  State  of 
'Illinois  doth  agree  graciously,  to  give 
"grant,  donate  or  lease,  one-half  acre 
"of  land  for  school  prposes,  unto  Til- 
"ton  Howard,  William  Maxwell  and 
"John  W.  Newcomb,  School  Directors, 
"and  their  successors  in  office,  in  Union 
"District,  as  described  in  the  foregoing 


"preamble  the  following  described  lot  "Schol  District,  beginning  at  the 
"of  land  to-wit:  Beginnig  at  the  "North-East  corner  of  said  lot  runn- 
"Sou  h  East  Tomer  of  Section  35,  "ing  North  a  sufficient  distance,  thence 
4ownsWp  29  North  Range  2  West  "West  to  the  Western  boundary  of  said 
"ofThe  3rd  Principal  Meridian,  thence  "lot,  thence  South,  to  the  North-West 
"West  10  r0ds,  thence  North  8  rods,  corner  f  said  School  lot,  as  deeded  by 
"thence  East  10  rods,  thence  South  8  "Henry  Palmer  and  reserved  m  his 
"rods  to  the  place  of  beginning,  con-  ;;deed  to  Jel  M  *WtmJ££*£- 
"taining  one-half  acre,  so  long  as  the    uoses,n  said -  ttnw  Z- 

"aforesaid  land  shall  be  used  for  school  "ly  understood  that  the  lot  now  des 
or  seminary  purposes;"  and  in  the  pre-  "cribed  is  situated  on  or  near  the 
amir  above  mentioned,  it  is  stated  "South-East  crner  of  the  East  naif  of 
that  I  Distirct  had  already  been  form-  "^2^0^^  2 

ed  bv  the  "citizens  of"  these  townships  "ty-flve  (35)  Town  29,  North  Kange  A 
"respecUvely  in  the  year  1846,  and  "(2)  West  of  the  3rd  P.  M."  Signed 
-rave  saTd  District  the  title  and  name  by  Hiram  Echols,  and  P.  Amelia  Bch- 
"of  Union  Di  trict  as  recorded  in  each  ols,  his  wife.  Witnessed  by  Tilton 
"^foresaid  townships  respective-  Howard  and  CL*^  and  acK- 
"ly,  and  whereas  the  legal  voters  of  nowledged  by  Tilton  Howard. 
"«4nrl  District  did  hold  a  meeting,  and 

"el  tTree  School  Directors  as  by  The  third  addition  to  the  Washburn 
"Statute provided  in  such  cases  and  at  School  lot,  was  made  by  purchase 
4aTd  meeting  Tilton  Howard,  William  from  W.  D.  Winland  and  wife  for  the 
''Maxwell  and  J.  W.  Newcomb  were  sum  of  One  Hundred  ™>g£ 
elected  said  School  Doctors".  Record-  described  as  follows.  Beginning  at 
Id  in  Boaok  4,  at  page  242  by  Sheldon  the  South-West  corner  of  School  lot 
Arnold,  Recorder  f  Marshall  county.      ^^84  ^thence  North 

Another  purchase  f  land  was  made  £ 
^%^SST^S   "on  record  J  the'  County  Seat  of 
"of  Ma  "shall,  and  State  f  Illinois,  of  Marshall  county,  but  the  deed  .tself 
"the  first  part,  and  Trustees  of  Town-  is  lost  or  misplaced.  ^ 
^Z%::^£T^CIt      The  fourth  addition  to  the  Washburn 
"C«  f  Wodfo/d  and  Marshall  and 

:St,s^esi.frat  tttid-s  ^^rfZ^-z 

"^by  aLw.edged,  have  granted  ^^^^X  -  Woot 

:rmgerandSOby  Xle^—l  "^  and  Marshall  and  State  of  Il.i- 
nrmea,   dim   u*  **         ,  nn„    "nois  the  following  described  real  es- 

"grant,  bargain,  sell,  convey  and  con-    «o»,  the  ^ low ■  g 

"firm  unto  said  party  of  the  second  »  groud,  occu- 

"part  and  their  ^Z^  Tiot  S  and  used  for  school  purposes  by 
"certain  tract  f  land  described  as  ^  ^  fa  Township 

"lows,  viz:  Ranee  2,  West  of  the  3rd 

b?=  2£S£3Lt  M—  county, 


"Illinois,  running-  thence  due  North 
"about  156  feet  to  a  point  directly 
"East  of  the  North  End  of  Block  9,  in 
"Echols  First  Addition  to  the  Village 
H  Washburn,  Marshall  county,  Illi- 
nois, thence  East  ta  the  Section  line 
"between  Sections  35  and  36,  in  Town- 
ship 29  aforesaid,  thence  South  about 
"156  feet  to  the  North-East  corner  of 
"School  ground  above;  thence  West  to 
"the  place  of  beginning,  said  described 
"real  estate  being  situated  in  the  S.E. 
il%  of  the  S.E.  14  of  the  S.E.%  of  Sec. 
"35,  in  Township  29  aforesaid,  and 
"containing  1.35  acres  more  or  less." 

"Dated  this  7th  day  of  July,  A.D., 
"1914.   Signed,  R.  W.  Vaughan.  (Seal) 

So  that  the  Washburn  Grade  school 
has,  all  told,  about  2.85  acres  of  land 
upon  which  its  school  building  is  sit- 
uated and  play-ground  located. 


On  the  14th  day  f  July,  A.  D.  1890, 
the  directors  of  this  School  District 
purchased  for  $500.,  the  old  M.  E. 
Church  property,  "Fifty  feet  wide  and 
the  entire  length  off  the  South  side  of 
"lot  No.  5,  in  Block  1,  in  the  Original 
"town,  now  Village  of  Washburn,"  and 
«sed  it  for  a  Primary  school  until  1916, 
upon  the  building  of  the  Washburn 
Township  High  School  when  the  Pri- 
mary school  was  moved  to  the  Grade 
school  building  and  on  June  22,  1916, 
petitioners  of  the  District  to  the  num- 
ber of  155,  filed  a  petition  to  sell  the 
Primary  school  building  and  property, 
and  after  compliance  with  all  legal  re- 
tirements, it  was  sold  in  front  of  the 
Washburn  Bank  by  W.  T.  Wallace, 
auctioneer,  on  Sept.  2,  1916  for  $421.' 
to  the  Lutheran  church  people  who 
made  it  a  private  church  school. 
*    *  * 

m  1888  the  great  Santa  Fe  Railroad 
Co.,  built  their  line  from  Kansas  City 
into  Chicago,  passing  ov3r  the  north 
mi  of  Union  District  No.  4  and  5, 
and  later  erected  a  depot  on  Sec.  27,  of 
said  district.  In  1906  The  Prairie  Pipe 
Lme  Co.  laid  its  pipes  along  the  right- 
of-way,  of  said  Santa  Fe  railroad  and 


established  reservoirs  and  a  pumping 
station  on  said  Sec.  27,  and  soon  there 
sprang  up  a  little  hamlet  of  some 
twenty  houses,  and  the  inhabitants  of 
these  houses  proffered  a  site  and  ask- 
ed for  a  school  house  which  the  direc- 
tors granted,  and  it  was  built  the  next 
year  by  Fitschen  Bros.,  contractors  at 
a  cost  of  $970.    The  deed  runs  thus: 
"The  grantors,  Nathan  H.  Owen  and 
"Anna  B.  Owen,  his  wife,  of  the  Town 
Sf  Richland,  County  of  Marshall  and 
"State  of  Illinois,  for  and  in  consider., 
Ration  of  One  Dollar,  in  hand  paid,  con- 
"vey  and  warrant  to  the  Trustees  of 
"Schools  of  Richland  Township,  Mar- 
shall County,  Illinois  and  the  Trus- 
tees of  Schools  of  Cazenovia  Town- 
Ship,  Woodford  County,  Illinois,  for 
"the  use  of  Union  School  District  No. 
"120,  located  in  both  of  said  Town- 
Ships,  and  Counties,  for  and  during 
"the  time  hereinafter  described  land 
"is  used  for  school  purposes  only,  the 
"following  described  real  estate  to-wit: 
"Beginning    one    hundred    and  fifty 
^"(150)  feet  West  of  a  point  that  is 
Seven  and  forty-nine  one  hundredths 
"(7.49)  chains  North,  seventy-two  de- 
crees West  of  a  stne  Five  (5)  chains 
"North  of  the  South-East  corner  of 
"of  the  South- West  Quarted  (S.  W.1^) 
"of  the  North-East  Quarter  (N.E.%) 
"of  Section  27  (27)  in  Township  29 
"(29)   North  Range  2,  West  of  the 
"3rd  P.  M,,  in  Marshall  county  Illinois, 
thence  West  Seventy-five   (75)  feet] 
"thence  South  One  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-four (124)  feet;  thence  East  Sev- 
"enty-five  (75)  feet,  tnence  North  One 
"Hundred  and  twenty_four  (124)  feet 
"to  the  place  of  beginning.   Dated  this 
"—day  of  July,  A.D.  1907." 

The  third  pkee  of  permanent  School 
property  in  Washburn  is  the  Washburn 
Township  High  School:  "The  grant- 
"ors,  Robert  Peachcy  and  Clara  Peach- 
"ey,  his  wife,  of  the  Village  of  Wash- 
burn, in  the  County  of  Woodford 
"and  State  of  Illinois,  for  and  in  con- 
sideration of  Four  Thousand  and 
"Five  Hundred  Dollars  in  hand  paid, 


convey  and  warrant  to  Trustees  of  "and  2  >n  Peachey  s  Second  Addition 
"Schools  of  Township  Twenty-Eight  "to  the  Village  of  Washburn,  situated 
4t  North  Range  Two  (2)  West,  of  "in  the  County  of  Wodford  and  State 
"the  Third  P.  M„  of  the  Town  of  Caz-  "of  Ilinois,  hereby  released  waiv- 
"enovTa  County  of  Woodford,  and  "ing  all  rights  under  and  by  virtue  of 
"State  of  IUtaoL  for  the  uso  of  Dis-  "the  Homestead  Exemption  lews  of 
"trTct  No  125,  a  Township  High  "this  State.  Dated  this  25th  day  of 
"School  Districi,  the  following  des-  August,  A.  D.  1915.  Signed,  Robert 
"cribed  real  estate  to-wlt:    Blocks  1,  "Peachey,  Clara  Peacnoy. 

ARTICLE  II 

The  first  period  of  the  Washburn  ed  its  mission  in  a  pub Ik  w^was 
Schools    was  the  life  of  the  first,  pushed  out  east,  into  the  edge  of  the 
fiUle    old    one  room  School  house,  street,  to  make  way  for  a  new,  and 
abort  eleven  years,  in  time,  1846  to  larger  schoolhouse;  and  January  2 
1857-its  records,  if  it  ever  had  any,  1858  Thomas  H.  Snell  bot  it,  moved  rt 
have  no   been  preserved,  beyond  the  onto  Lot  9,  Block  9,  Echols  add.tion 
deed  for  the  Scnool  mte,  which  is  on  and  sold  it.   Wm.  B.  Carson  who  so  d 
record  and  it  recites,  in  its  preamble,  it  to  Frederick  Benecke  who  sold  it  to 
ftat  a  Scnool  district  has  already  been  Benjamin  Schultz,  who  died  the  next 
formed  and  that  Tilton  Howard,  Wil-  year,  and  his  widow  retained  the  pro- 
Uam  Maxwell,  and  J.  W.  Newcomb,  perity  22  years,  built  the  house  over 
ha'been  Tuly  elected  directors,  and  added  to  it,  painted  it  and  set  the  lot 
the  foregoing,  would  seem  to  say,  that  with  firuit  Trees,  and  Sept.  16,  1898 
fie  hous   was  immediately  built,  and  sold  it  to  Elizabeth  Anna  Graber who 
!u  .       u„i  „  h„«v  life  as  schools  of  still  owns  and  occupies  it.     So  the 
ta    perfod  go;  lb  out  four  months,  little  old  schoolhouse  of  1846,  it  still 
hru  the  winter  and  a  spring  term  of  a  very  respectable  little  cottage,  and 
wo  or  three  months.   It  is  not  known  now,  61  years  since,  it  retired;  has 
who  bufit  the  house,  but  as  Ptillip  H.  been  busy  all  this  time  housing  a  fam- 
Tpnkins  is  the  only  carpenter  known  ily. 

L  resTde  in  the  vicinity  at  the  time,     The  teachers,  who  .aught  m  this 
t  is  beUeved  he  was  the  builder.    I  Washburn's  first  school  house,  so  far 
was  locate!  near  the  south-east  corner,  as  they  can  be  recalled  to  memory 
oi "the  school  lot-was  14x24  feet  in  are  Thomas  Smith  who  resided  with 
size  with  about  9  foot  ceiling,  it  front-  his  family,  in  the  only  log  cabin  that 
Ite  east,  and  was  one  story  high,  Washburn  ever  had;  and  was ^mdiar- 
«nd  was  heated  bv  a  long  wood  stove,  ly  known  as     Editor  Smith  — Jonn 
stardm  ttleSer  of  tie  room,  with  Anderson ,  whe -  with  his  wi  e  had  a 
a  nine  straight  up  into  a  chimney,  in  room  with  Tilton  Howard,  Miss  Aman 
the  cente  o  the  wide  wooden  benches  da  Frobes,  who  later  was  Mrs  Edwin 
for  sea  s  and  a  shelf  against  the  wall  Durnham,  0.  A.  Burges,  a  favorite 
on  whkhto  write.   A  door  in  the  east,  teacher,  who  married  here,  Nannie 
two  window   in  the  south,  and  one  in  Ledgerwood  and  who  was  afterward 
he  nlrth  side;  a  frame  building,  with  a  favorite  minister,  ™ 
oak  sWing  and  steeding,  with  walnut  churches,  and  President  of  Butler  Col- 
onies   door  and  door-frames  and  lege,  at  Indianapolis  James  Tracey, 
S  frames,  and  a  blackboard,  on  Charles  Tuttle,  and  Electa  Dav.dsom 
ft wist  wall    it  was  too  the  only  These  teachers  as  near  as  known,  came 
nlace  for  reaching,  and  other  public  in  the  order  in  which  they  are  given, 
m  etings  Til 7  having  accomplish-      The  second  period  of  the  Washburn 


Schools,  was  the  life,  of  the  two  story, 
frame,  schoolhouse — 1857  to  1877. 
This  building  was  built  by  Phillip  H. 
Jenkins  and  John  Carson,  in  1857, 
completed  and  dedicated  in  September 
of  that  year;  it  stood  upon  the  site,  of 
the  old  discarded  building,  with  its 
long  way,  east  and  west,  36  feet,  and 
its  short  way,  north  and  south,  26  feet, 
its  only  door,  was  on  the  south,  in  the 
center  of  the  building,  tne  lower  story, 
divided  into  two  rooms,  of  nearly  equal 
size,  and  the  second  story  all  in  one 
room,  the  stairway,  was  on  the  inside, 
starting  from  the  entry,  running  east, 
against  the  south  wall,  half  way  up  to 
a  landing  then  turning  west,  and  going 
west,  up  to  a  landing  on  the  second 
floor,  over  the  entry  way  below,  the 
teachers  desk,  stood  upon  a  small  plat- 
form, raised  perhaps  about  12  inches 
above  the  floor,  situated  in  the  middle 
of  the  room,  on  the  north  side — the 
building  was  heated  by  coal  stoves, 
with  pipes,  running  into  the  chimneys, 
in  either  end  of  the  building,  and  the 
blackboards,  which  were  on  the  north 
wall  of  the  room,  (which  was  without 
windows)  on  either  side  of  the  teach- 
ers desk.  A  very  small  corner  was 
cut  off  the  south-west  corner  of  the 
room,  for  a  closet,  just  large  enough 
to  hold  a  few  good  willow  switches 
for  use  on  dire  occasions. 

After  20  years  of  service,  without 
any  matured  change  this  building  was 
deemed  too  small  for  thedistrict  needs, 
m4  on  "Saturday,  the  first  day  of 
"April  1376,"  after  due  legal  notice, 
an  election  was  held  *o  vote  on  the 
question;  "for  or  against  appropriating 
"not  to  exceed  eight  thousand  dollars, 
"for  the  purpose  of  building  a  public 
"school  house  on  the  old  site" — 59 
votes  "for"  41  "against"  "79  votes  for 
"lojation  on  old  site"  14  "against.'' 

On  April  25,  1876,  after  due  "legal 
"notice  an  election  was  held  for  the 
'purpose  of  voting,  for  or  against, 
"authorizing  the  Directors  to  issue 
''bonds,  not  to  exceed  eight  thousan 
"dollars,  for  the  purpose  of  building  a 


"public  schoolhouse,  said  Bonds  pay- 
able in  one,  two,three,  four,  and  five 
years" — 59  votes  were  cast,  one  of 
which  was  pronounced  illegal — for 
issuing  Bonds,  31  votes,  against  27. 
The  bonds  were  issued  July  1,  1876  in 
amounts  of  $500.00  each,  unmbered 
one  to  sixteen,  signed  by  J.  G.  Haines, 
S.  V.  Jones  and  S.  W.  McCulloch,  di_ 
rectors  of  Districts  Nos.  4  and  5  in 
Woodford  and  Marshall  Counties.  The 
Bond  drew  interest,  at  ten  percent, 
and  were  sold  to  Frank  N.  Ireland,  at 
par — now  a  new  schoolhouse  was  sure 
and  on  June  1  a  goodbye  was  arranged, 
and  all  the  teachers,  who  had  taught 
in  the  building,  and  the  pupils,  the 
directors,  and  everybody  interested, 
were  invited,  and  a  very  interesting 
time  was  had.  It  was  held  in  the 
Christian  church,  on  the  county  line, 
and  it  was  a  "love-feast,"  but  there  is 
no  record  of  it.  J.  Edward  Barnes 
says,  the  brightest  thing  said,  was  by 
Mrs.  L.  M.  Atwood,  who  in  an  essay, 
in  rhyme,  began,  "They  tell  us  our 
"temple  is  doomed  to  destruction" — 
but  without  a  report  preserved,  there 
is  only  left,  a  bright  spot  in  memory 
of  this  great  day. 

On,  or  about  the  first  day  of  August 
1876,  the  school  building  of  the  second 
period  was  sold  to  R.  C.  McCulloch, 
the  highest  bidder,  after  due  legal 
notice,  for  $137.50  and  moved  south 
one  block,  to  the  north-west  corner  of 
Block  5  in  McCuloch's  addition,  and 
alter  sold  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  A.  Trib- 
bey,  who  in  turn,  sold  it  to  Walter  A. 
Stevens,  an  dhe  o  John  Iunker.  This 
gives  to  Washburns  second  school 
building,  a  service  of  41  years,  as  a 
family  residence  and  20  years  of  ser- 
vice as  a  schoolhouse  the  following 
named  teachers  were  employed  to  give 
instruction:  Joshua  F.  Wheelwright, 
Miss  C.  M.  Jenkins,  Miss  Fairchild, 
Wm.  G.  Wood,  Frs.  F.  A.  Ireland, 
Miss  L.  M.  Daniels,  (Atwood),  Miss 
Fannie  Marshall,  Miss  Harriet  Packer, 
Miss  Martha  Boys,  Prof.  Showl,  Ella 
Painter,  Mrs.  I.  M.  Jones,  Miss  Sarah 


LIBRARY  """^----^ 

univershy  of  mmm 


T.  Kinsey,  Miss  Sarah  J.  Henthorn, 
Mrs.  C.  M.> Buckingham,  Miss  Martha 
Howard,  Mrs.  A.  S.  Daniels,  S.  W.  Mc- 
Culloch,  Mrs.  Adelaide  Fisher,  Miss 
Ida  Kraes,  Miss  Marq  E.  Scott,  Miss 
Mariah  Harper,  Miss  Sarah  Carrithers, 
Miss  Mary  Cutter,  Miss  Esther  Farns- 
worth,  Miss  Sarah  H.  Bangs,  Miss 
Mary,  E.  Bangs,  Miss  Midian  Evans, 
M.  S.  Fulton,  J.  E.  Lamb,  Miss  M.  E. 
Woods,  Miss  Sadie  C.  Martin,  S  V. 
Jones,  Miss  Fannie  Toothaker,  Miss 
Lucy  Toothaker,  James  Kirk. 

Those  who  served  as  directors  dur- 
ing this  second  period  of  the  Washburn 
schools,  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained, 
are:  Stephen  Howard,  R.  C.  McCull- 
och,  Phil.  H.  Jenkins,  Tilton  Howard, 
Samuel  Gushing,  Pleasant  Ireland,  El- 
der Merritt,  Rev.  P.  H.  Rrennen,  G.  A. 
Jackson,  A.  M.  Harper,  Thos.  Alexan- 
der, W.  E.  James,  Jabez  Fisher,  S.  W. 
McCulloch,  E.  Schaeber,  J.  G.  Haines, 
S.  V.  Jones,  Charles  Boys. 

During  this  second  period,  the  school 
house  was  frequently  used  for  relig- 
ious meetings,  political  meetings,  and 
entertainments.  In  1866  shade  trees 
were  set  in  the  yard  and  the  Good 
Templars  paid  out  $6.00.  The  one  idea 
the  good  Templars  seems  now  near 
realization  and  the  shade  tres  are  52 
years  old. 

The  third  period  of  the  Washburn 
schools  was  fairly  inaugurated  when 
on  June  8,  1876  the  plans  and  specifi- 
cations of  W.  J.  Edbrooke,  architect  of 
Chicago,  and  one  month  later  the  bid 
of  Wm.  Stewart  contractor  also  of 
Chicago  to  build  the  building  for  the 
sum  of  $8,000  in  cash  and  $300  in  a 
school  order,  was  accepted  and  con- 
tract entered  ineo. 

"The  Friends,  and  patrons  of  the 
"School  assembled  in  the  new  school 
"house  Friday  afternoon,  December  29, 
1876  for  the  purpose  of  dedicating  the 
"new  school  building.  Opening  pray- 
"er  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Brown  (of  the  Bap- 
"tist  church)  The  Dedication  address 
"was  delivered  by  Rev.  W.  B.  Keeling 
"(of  the  Presbyterian  church)  The  ex- 


ercises were  interspread  with  vocal, 
"instrumental  music.  After  the  exer_ 
"cises,  the  building  was  thrown  open, 
"to  the  inspection  of  the  public." 

The  building  stands  upon  the  same 
ground,  as  did  the  two  previous  build- 
ings of  the  two  previous  periods  About 
68x70  feet,  2  stories  and  basement 
high,  facing  the  south,  with  a  high 
varigated  roof,  and  an  ornamented  bell 
tower  and  a  one  story  entry  way,  all 
substantially  built  of  brick,  with  stone 
trimmings.  On  the  inside  is  four  school 
rooms,  with  a  library,  a  lunch  room, 
and  all  necessary  cloak  rooms,  and 
closet,  with  a  spacious  stairway,  and 
hallways,  well  lighted  and  steam  heat- 
ed. The  building  is  one  of  fine  propor- 
tion, and  of  good  appearance  for  its 
size,  and  age,  and  has  always  received 
good  care  and  timely  repairs. 

"The  first  session  of  the  school,  was 
"held  Tuesday  January  2,  1877,  with 
"Charles  R.  Vauderoot,  Principal, 
"Alice  Briggs,  Intermediate,  Mary 
"Hutchison  Primary"  and  on  the  6th 
inst,  Mrs.  Dr.  Newkirk  was  added  to 
the  Corps  of  teachers,  until  April  1st 
following  at  $37.50  per  month. 

The  aftermath  of  the  contract  for 
building  shows  that  there  were  eight 
bids  received,  running  from  $9400  to 
$12250.95,  all  of  which  were  above  the 
limit  the  architect  made  some  changes 
in  plans,  and  the  contractor  pared  his 
figures  to  8300  which  was  acecpted  by 
the  Directors.  February  9,  1877,  build- 
ing was  insured  for  $7500  and  the  fur- 
nace at  $500  expense  $80.00,  and  on 
March  31,  1877,  clerk  of  school  board 
was  allowed  $25.00  for  his  services. 

On  April  7,  1877,  S.  W.  McCulloch 
was  re-elected  Director,  by  a  unani- 
mous vote,  and  67  votes  were  cast. 
August  25,  1877,  paid  D.  P.  Smith  $45. 
for  lightning  rods  which  became 
worthless  long  ago,  and  on  June  17, 
1911  a  Committee  of  directors  recom- 
mended they  be  repaired  or  taken 
down — they  were  taken  down. 

October  1878  the  Directors  report 
141  males,  and  114  females,  attending 


school,  and  17  tuition  pupils,  and  a  fixed  at  $24.00  per  annum  in  advance, 
private  school,  taught  by  Rev.  Ledebur  Because  of  too  crowded  conditions, 
with  22  pupils  in  attendance.  September  24,  1887,  directors  rented 

December  1,  1879,  the  Directors  the  Taylor  house,  on  the  corner  west 
passed  this  resolution,  -'Whereas  sec-  of  Schoolhouse,  for  a  primary  school, 
"tion  45  of  the  school  law,  provides  and  hired  Viola  Carrithers  as  teach- 
"for  a  concentration  of  funds,  in  union  er,  at  $33.83  per  month. 
"Districts,  into  the  hands  of  one  Treas-  August  27,  1888,  an  election  was 
"urer,  the  Board  have  elected  to  order  held  to  vote  for  or  against  authorizing 
"all  funds  due  the  District,  paid  into  the  Directors  to  issue  bonds  not  ex- 
"hands  of  the  Treasurer  of  Cazenovia  ceeding  $1000.00,  with  which  to  build 
"Township."  This  action  of  the  Board,  a  primary  school;  resulting  in  a  ma- 
proved  a  great  convenience  to  the  jority  of  4  votes,  against  it.  May  18, 
people  of  the  district,  and  especially  1889  Directors  awarded  a  contract  to 
so  to  the  teachers.  Klingel  Bros,  to  put  into  the  School- 

February  17,  1880,  the  Directors  house,  a  steam  heating  plant  and  guar- 
fixed  the  rate  of  tuition  for  pupils  out-  anty  same  to  give  satisfaction  for  the 
side  the  District,  at  two  dollars  per  sum  of  $925.00;  and  hired  Ben  Butler 
month.    August  24,  1885,  tuition  was  to  do  the  necessary  mason  work. 

ARTICLE  III 

An  election  was  held  between  Au-  ing  of  out  houses,  on  the  northsast 
gust  10th  and  September  12th  1889,  to  corner  of  said  lot,  resulted  in  much 
vote  for  or  against,  authorizing  the  bad  feeling  and  litigation,  that  cost 
Directors,  to  buy  Lots-3  and  4  in  Block  the  District  $585.79  in  Attorney  fees, 
5  McCulloch's  Addition;  resulting  in  a  and  court  costs  $82.95.  July  29,  1892, 
majority  against  the  proposition,  of  A.  C.  Hazen  Principal  for  two  years 
43  votes— -May  31,  1890,  an  election  and  elect  for  a  third  year,  left  without 
was  held,  to  vote  for  or  against,  issu-  notice,  to  the  Directors  or  to  his  de- 
ing  bonds  to  build  an  addition  to  the  voted  family,  and  his  place  was  filled, 
present  building,  costing  $3000.00;  re-  as  Principal  by  M.  M.  Alden. 
suit  a  majority  of  38  votes  against  the  September  2,  1893,  Lesch  and  Fits- 
proposition,  and  again,  "At  the  special  chen  Co,  were  issued  orders  for  re- 
election, held  on  the  21st  day  of  June  pairs  on  Main  school  building,  $821.80 
"A.  D.  1890,  in  the  town  hall,  in  the  including  extras  and  interest, 
"village  of  Washburn,  Union  School  July  30,  1894,  Lesch,  Fitschen  &  Co. 
"'District,  Nos  4  and  5  towns  28  and  29  repaired  school  building  in  District 
"Range  2  West  Third  Principal  Meri-  No.  4,  for  $58.00. 

"dim  voted  for  or  against,  the  pro-  August  21,  1894,  the  Directors  order- 
" position  to  buy  the  Building  and  Lot,  ed  Flags  raised  on  each  of  the  school 
now  used  as  the  Methodist  church,  for  buildings. 

"a  school  House,  for  the  sum  of  Five  December  4,  1897  it  was  ordered  by 
"Hundred  ($500)  Dollars,  and  to  bor-  the  Directors,  to  make  next  years 
"row  seven-hundred  and  fifty  (750)  High  school  course,  a  4  year  term,  and 
Dollars,  to  pay  for  said  building,  also  employ  an  assistant  Principal, 
"for  repairs  and  necessary  improve-  At  the  Annual  election,  April  15, 
"merits;"  result  46  majority,  for  the  1899  it  was  also  voted,  by  a  majority 
proposition.  Lesch  and  Fitschen  did  of  88  votes,  to  buy  a  piece  of  land  on 
the  carpentar  and  Tin  work,  for  $168  the  west  of  the  orginal  school  pro- 
and  Fitschen  and  Blackmon,  the  neces-  perty,  to  extend  it  to  main  street,  at 
sary  painting  for  $64.50.    The  build-  a  cost  of  $100.00. 


On  May  10,  1900,  a  law  was  approv- 
ed by  the  Governor,  by  which  Union 
Districts  4  and  5  in  Woodford  and 
Marshall  Counties  became  one  Dis- 
trict, numbered   120.     September  2, 
1902,  paid  Sherwood  &  Co.  for  Seating 
$455.68.   July  24,  1906  Al  C.  Blackmon 
kalsmined  all  walls  and  varnished  all 
woodwork  for  $123.00  the  brick  build- 
ing.  Oct.  2,  1906  paid  Sherwood  &  Co. 
j  r  desks,  166.87.    Dec.  3,  1906  paid 
Anna  Ehringer  for  disinfection  $120.45 
March  2,  1907  paid  Village  of  Wash, 
burn  for  walks  $62.76  at  meeting  of 
Directors  April  2,  1907  by  unanimous 
vote  an  election  was  called  to  vote  for 
or  against  building  a  school  house  in 
Wilburn  for  children  of  that  hamlet, 
in  this  district,  in  the  minutes  f  June 
29  the  vote  is  recorded  as  80  votes  78 
for  2  against.    Bids  were  called  fo? 
and  J.  B.  Fitschen  &  Co  were  awarded 
the  contract  at  $970,  and  on  January 
2,  1908  were  paid  the  contract  price. 
April  23,   1908  the  meeting  of  the 
board  was  taken  up  by  complaint  of 
Charles  H.  Ireland  on  behalf  of  Ardell 
Emerisk  a  pupil  who  desired  to  gradu- 
ate but  who  was  prevented  by  the 
Principal,  by  holding  down  her  credits, 
as  she  claimed,  below  the  point  re- 
quired, of  course  the  Directors  upheld 
the  principal,  he  prevented  Miss  Eme- 
rick  from  graduating,  but  lost  his 
position  just  the  same. 

Oct.  3,  1907  Sherwood  &  Co.  desks 
$57.42,  Insurance  $48.00,  April  3,  1909 
a  meeting  of  Directors  in  which  it  was 
stated  that  a  census  had  been  taken 
which  showed  more  than  a  1000  in- 
habitants in  this  district  No  120,  in 
Woodford    and    Marshall  Counties; 
therefore  an  election  was  ordered  held, 
on  April  17,  1909  for  a  President  and 
six  members  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, as  by  law  provided.    The  elec- 
tion was  held  in  due  form  on  that  day 
resulting  in  the  election  of  Charles 
H.  Ireland  Pres.  by  majority  of  77 
votes,  George  Moschel  a  member  by 
a  majority  of  71  votes,  A.  W.  Ross 
member  by  a  majority  of  71  votes, 


George  O.  Barnes  by  a  majority  of  69 
votes,  John  R.  Tweddale  by  a  majority 
of  78  votes,  James  Sharp  by  a  majority 
of  71  votes,  Richard  Gill  by  a  majority 
of  78  votes,  On  May  9,  1912,  this 
school  was  voted  by  H.  A.  Hollistor 
and  given  a  credit  of  16  points  on  16 
Study  subjects. 

July  28,  1909,  contracted  for  Cham- 
bertains  weather  stop,  on  all  windows 
in  brick  building,  to  cost  $100.  Aug.  2, 
1909  congratulations  of  Board  follow- 
ed Elwood  Audemonts  to  his  new  posi- 
tion in  Omaha. 

Aug.  2,  1913  a  contract  was  awarded 
to  J.  B.  Fitschen  &  Co.  for  repairs  as 
per  plan  and  specifications  furnished, 
for  a  sum  of  $448,  complete. 

September  4,  1913,  a  resolution  was 
passed  to  set  aside  $35  for  library, 
and  a  committee  appointed  to  make 
the  purchase;  the  same  meeting  pass- 
ed an  order  making  Tuition  terms  $10 
per  term,  in  the  High  room,  $6.00  in 
Grammar,  and  $4.00  in  the  lower 
grades. 

Oct.  2,  1913,  purchaser  desks  of 
Sherwood  &  Co.  $150.30.  April  2, 
1914,  G.  M.  Butler  paid  balance  of 
$702.30  on  new  heating  plant,  includ- 
ing excavation  and  mason  work.  April 
20,  1914  Miss  Ada  L.  Kreider,  was  re- 
tained as  Principal  for  coming  yea- 
at  $100  per  month.  Julj  u,  1914,  by 
unanimous  vote,  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion agreed  to  purchase  additional 
land  for  school  purpose  of  R.  W. 
Vaughan. 

Oct.  2,  1914,  Henry  Lesch  &  Co. 
made  repairs  on  brick  building  $750. 

November  2,  1914  bot  of  W.  H.  Mar- 
tin, 2  nature  studies  for  Washburn  and 
Wilburn  schools,  for  $37.50  and  High 
school  teachers  alowed  $5.00  each,  to- 
ward expose  in  attendance  at  High 
School  Conference,  at  Champaign 
which  has  been  the  rule  of  this  school 
since  these  Conferences  were  inaugu- 

^September  1,  1914,  school  opened 
with  a  complete  Corps  of  female  teach- 
ers  in   th    Washburn   and  Wilburn 


schools,  and  this  rule  has  obtained  ever 
since.  April  2,  1915,  Miss  L.  Ada 
Krieder,  the  Superintendent  was  auth- 
orized by  vote  of  the  board  to  rent 
caps  and  gowns  for  graduation  exer. 
cises. 

May  2,  1915,  by  vote  of  the  Board 
May  15,  1915,  was  designated  for  in- 
spection day  by  the  full  Board. 

May  25,  1915,  Miss  Krieder  the 
Supt.  presented  to  the  Board  a  list  of 
graduates  of  Class  1915,  and  the 
Board  voted  to  present  to  each  pupil 
on  the  list  presented,  a  Diploma  and  5 
dollars,  to  defray  expenses  of  gradu- 
ates in  8th  grade  work.  May  29,  1915, 
a  bill  was  presented  by  Miss  Krieder 
for  $10.00  to  pay  postage  and  ex- 
penses of  8th  grade  graduates,  was 
allowed  and  paid. 

July  25,  1915,  Board  in  session,  ap- 
pointed Sept.  6,  to  begin  fall  term  of 
school. 

July  29,  1915  the  Board  agreed  upon 
terms,  by  which  the  High  school  and 
the  Grade  school  would  consolidate  for 
this  years  school,  towit,  the  High 
school  to  take  over  the  chemistry  de- 
partment, as  invoiced  by  Miss  Krieder, 
mid  pay  a  monthly  rental  of  $40.  per 
month  for  High  room  recitation  room 
and  labratory,  Dist.  120  to  furnish  heat 
and  Janitor,  and  Miss  Krieder  to  sup- 
erintend Grade  School  without  com- 
pensation. 

August  1,  1916,  Building  Committee 
were  autorized  to  change  seats  in 
primary  room  to  face  south,  first  In- 
termediate north,  second  Intermediate 
to  face  south  and  the  High  room  to 
face  north. 

Aug.  26,  1916,  C.  H.  Duffy  was  auth- 
orized to  build  petition  fence,  between 
Carmichel  house  and  Wilburn  school. 

Sherwood  &  Co.  seats  were  paid  for 
$124. 

Hotchkis  &  Havis  Architects  $50 
paid. 

Principal  teacher  autorized  to  col- 
lect all  tuition  on  or  before  Sept.  15, 
on  pain  of  suspension. 

April  28,  1917,  upon  the  motion  of 


George  Moschel  who  has  been  clerk  of 
of  the  Board  for  19  years,  C.  E.  Spang- 
ler  was  elected  clerk. 

Aug.  7,  1917,  Board  made  a  levy 
$2100.  for  educational  coming  year, 
and  $400.  for  building  repairs,  and  a 
Telephone  too,  for  the  school  was 
authorized. 

Aug.  21,  1917,  Committee  on  Course 
of  Study  recommended  the  Horace 
Mann  Readers,  and  they  were  adopted. 

The  schedules  of  Teachers  show  en- 
rollment as  follows: 

151  total,  divided  very  nearly  equal- 
ly in  each  of  the  5  departments,  aver- 
age daily  attendance  145  1-11.  Nov.  3, 
1917,  authorized  the  purchase  of  Flag, 
and  window  shades  for  Wilburn  school. 

Dec.  4,  1917,  authorized  a  Standard 
School  Heater  C.  Plant,  at  Wilburn 
school,  $124.20,  Flag,  $6.50. 
School  census  shows: 
194  boys,  206  girls  in  district  under 
21  years,  126  boys,  132  girls  in  district 
between  6  and  21,  68  boys,  74  girls  in 
district  under  school  age. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  teachers, 
who  taught  in  the  third  period,  as 
nearly  perfect  as  possible,  and  as  near- 
ly in  order,  as  possible:  C.  R.  Vauder- 
vort,  Alice  E.  Briggs,  Mary  Hutchison, 
Mrs.  Dr.  Newkirk,  Eliza  R.  Morse, 
Margaret  Maloney,  Sadie  C.  Martin, 
Ammon  Coomes,  Maggie  Taylor,  Fan- 
nie Fraser,  Edward  Bangs,  Mae  But_ 
ler,  Hattie  Kellar,  Annie  Hendron,  Ella 
Fraser,  Frank  Haines,  Ella  Hess,  T.  E. 
Clelland,  Martha  E.  Granger,  Viola 
Carrithers,  Emma  Butler,  A.  B.  Carri- 
thers,  A.  C.  Hazen,  Laura  McCulloch, 
Lola  Fisher,  Katie  B.  Peabody,  M.  M. 
Alden,  A.  G.  Hoswell,  E.  J.  Pritchard, 
J.  B.  Curtis,  Eva  Hogue,  Stephen  E. 
Fisher,  A.  J.  Alcorn,  Etta  Powell,  A. 
H.  Burke,  Laura  R.  Butler,  Sarah  Tool, 
Caton  Heironymus,  Rolla  S.  Mundell, 
N.  J.  Pritchard,  Anna  B.  Letz,  George 
Stauter,  Elsie  Letz,  Mamie  Sangbush, 
Jeannettee  Isch,  Ethel  Fisher,  T.  M. 
Burgess,  Arthur  Gill,  Louise  Bachmis- 
ter,  Ruth  Dillavou,  G.  W.  Courts,  Vera 
Klotz,    Edward    Anderson,  Florence 


Thompson,  Roy  Gill,  Irene  Phillips,  third  period,  for  they  exercise  some 
Myrtle  Perry,  H.  A.  Ritcher,  Harry  control  on  the  grounds,  and  in  the  ab- 
Andrews,  Ruby  Furrow,  Hazel  Fur-  sence  of  greator  authority,  and  con- 
row,  Maud  Miller,  Amie  Buckingham,  tribute  largely  to  the  comfort,  conveni- 
Mary  Green,  L.  Ada  Krieder,  Beula  ence,  the  cleanliness  and  sanitary  con- 
Reynolds,  Lucia  Isch,  Jeannettee  Isch,  ditions;  and  their  work  is  no  place  for 
Edith  Riebschlager,  Leola  Morris,  any  but  a  conscientious  and  industri- 
Guida  M.  Hudson,  Sara  Robinson,  Ino  ous,  energetic  man;  only  one  man  in 
Spangler,  Evelyn  McKee,  Lee  Held,  this  list  ever  succeeded  to  the  position 
Olga  Seawald,  Maud  Abernathy.  as  teacher— Frank  Haines.    They  are 

The  following,  is  a  list  of  the  names  Wesley  Beaver,  Richard  Fally,  Frank 
of  the  men  who  selected  and  directed  Haines,  John  P.  Sims  Michael  Lewis, 
the  teachers,  who  taught  and  governed  D.  H.  Bishop,  A.  L.  Ingle,  Henry  Stau- 
the  third  period,  of  the  Washburn  ter,  George  Savage,  James  Harper,  W. 
School,  from  1877  up  to  the  centennial  A.  Stevens,  Claude  Combes,  and  Anton 
year  1918— Jabez  Fisher,  John  H.  Wendland  the  'dandy"  Janitor. 
Moschel,  S.  V.  Jones,  J.  G.  Haines,  A.  This  vloses  the  third  period,  a  term 
M.  Harper,  M.  S.  Fulton,  Christian  of  41  years,  for  all  the  officials  and 
Haase,  S.  W.  McCulloch,  Charles  Boys,  patrons  of  this  school  to  look  back 
James  G.  Carrithers,  An  Pritchard,  upon,  and  we  think  they  can  do  so 
James  Sharp,  Wm.  H.  Bocock,  L.  C.  with  pride,  on  their  work.  It  was  or- 
Hayden,  Fred  Ehringer,  W.  A.  Sharp,  ginily  a  school  of  three  years,  and 
Frank  Owen,  C.  B.  Johnston,  J.  E.  later  to  4  years  in  High  school,  and 
Barnes,  George  P.  Gill,  George  Mosch-  upon  the  building  of  a  separate  Wash- 
el,  John  H.  Schultze,  James  N.  Owen,  burn  High  school,  it  was  remanded  to 
E.'  T.  Harper,  Dr.  B.  N.  Watt,  C.  H.  the  first  eight  grades,  when  it  has 
Ireland,  R.  W.  Ross,  Geo.  O.  Barnes,  shone  with  equal  splendor.  It  always 
John  R.  Tweddale,  RiclUrd  Gill,  Rob-  was  a  school  of  good  reputation,  and 
ert  McKee,  O.  E.  Shepard,  C.  H.  Duffy,  attracted  many  tuition  pupils,  and 
C.  E.  Spangler,  E.  J.  Pritchard,  George  none  was  ever  turned  a  vaj ,  but  addi- 
M.  Butler,  Hugh  Pritchard.  tional  teachers  were  hire:.,  i^  neces- 

The  following  too,  is  a  list  of  the  sary,  and  additional  seats  purchased 
under  professors,  the  Janitors  of  this  if  needed. 

ARTICLE  IV 

The  fourth  period,  of  the  Washburn  ing  was  held,  the  place  discussed,  and 
School,  is  the  Township  High  School,  meeting  with  universal  favor,  a  peti- 

On  February  2,  1915,  there  appears  tion  was  circulated,  on  the  11  and  12 
in  the  minutes  of  a  meeting,  held  by  days  of  February,  and  signed  by  76 
the  Board  of  Education,  of  Union  dis-  legal  petitioners,  which  was  immedi- 
trict  No.  120,  the  following  item,  "J.  R.  ately  presented  to  Roy  L.  Moore, 
"Tweddale  (a  member)  presented  a  Woodford  County  Superintendent  of 
"plan  for  consolidation  of  high  school,  Schools,  who  on  Feb.  18th  posted  10 
"including  eight  districts,  said  plan  notices  i  nconspicious  places  in  the 
"was  adopted,  and  a  meeting  to  be  proposed  Township  High  School  Dis- 
"called,  of  the  patrons  of  District  No.  trict,  calling  an  election  to  be  held  at 
"120,  at  the  village  hall,  Friday  even-  the  village  Hall  in  the  village  of  Wash- 
ing, Feb.  5,  1915,  to  discuss  and  pre-  burn,  on  the  6th  day  of  March,  1915 
"sent  said  plan  the  clerk  was  also  and  designated  that  Union  District  No. 
"instructed,  to  have,  a  notice  of  this,  120  being  in  the  territory  of  tne  pro- 
"published  in  "the  Leader"— The  meet-  posed  Township  High  School  District 


to  have  charge  of  said  election,  to  vote 
for  or  against,  the  said  propositions, 
to  organize  the  said  High  School,  and 
on  March  5th,  1915  a  meeting  was  call- 
ed, of  the  Board  of  Education,  of  Union 
District  No.  120  in  Woodford  and  Mar- 
shall Counties,  who  appointed  their 
clerk,  George  Moschel  to  act  as  clerk 
of  said  election,  and  two  members  of 
the  Board,  E.  T.  Harper,  and  O.  E. 
Shepard,  to  act  as  Judges  of  the  said 
election  as  provided  by  the  County 
Superintendent  of  Woodford  County. 
The  polls  of  said  election  was  opened, 
at  one  o'clock  P.  M.  and  closed  at  5 
o'clock  P.  M.  The  election  was  warm- 
ly contested,  and  406  votes  were  poll- 
ed, resulting  in  a  majority  of  124  votes 
in  favor  of  the  proposed  High  School, 
after  throwing  out  4  votes,  which  were 
marked  yes,  instead  of  with  an  x 

March  8,  1915  returns  of  the  elec- 
tion were  made  to  County  Supt.  Roy. 
L.  Moore,  who  upon  the  11th  inst.  gave 
it  No.  125,  and  issued  notices,  of  an 
election  to  be  held  on  March  27,  1915 
in  the  said  New  District  No.  125  at  the 
Vilage  Hall  in  the  village  of  Wash- 
burn, to  elect  a  President  and  6  mem 
bers  a  Board  of  Education  to  take 
charge  of  the  affairs  of  the  new  Dis- 
trict No.  125,  and  directing  the  Board 
of  Education  of  District  No.  120,  to 
take  charge  of  said  election,  and  make 
due  report  to  him,  who  issued  certifi- 
cates of  election  bearing  date  March 
27,  1915  as  follows,  F.  N.  Garrett, 
Pres.  of  Board,  members  for  term  of 
one  year,  B.  F.  Heighway,  and  Bloom 
Faw,  members  for  term  of  two  years, 
E.  B.  Coen  and  Russell  Tweddale, 
members  for  term  of  three  years, 
Adolph  Woltzen  and  W.  G.  West.  Dis- 
trict No.  125  was  now  fully  organized, 
and  in  School  control  of  10  3-8  sec- 
tions of  territory,  in  Cazenovia  town- 
ship, and  8  sections  in  Linn  township, 
Woodford  County;  12  sections  in  Rich- 
land township,  and  4  sections  in  Bell 
Plain  township,  Marshall  County,  a 
total  of  34  3-8  sections.  The  first 
mc-et'ng  of  the  Board  selected  il^s-el: 


Tweddale,  as  Secretary  of  the  Board, 
and  appointed  Woltzen  and  West  as 
as  Judges,  and  Tweddale  as  clerk,  to 
hold  the  annual  election  due  second 
Saturday  in  April  1915. 

The  second  meeting,  April  10,  re- 
tained Russell  Tweddale  as  clerk  for 
the  coming  year  and  contracted  with 
L.  Ada  Krieder  as  Principal  at  a  sal- 
ary of  $100  per  month,  Guida  Marie 
Hudson  and  Leola  Morris  each  at  $70 
per  month,  as  teachers,  and  employed 
John  R.  Tweddale  as  Attorney,  and 
George  Miller,  of  Bloomington  as 
Architect. 

March  24,  1915,  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation of  District  No.  125,  a  High 
School  District,  before  whom  came  a 
petition  signed  by  207  legal  voters  of 
the  district,  praying  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation, to  call  an  election,  to  vote  on 
the  proposition  (a)  to  build  a  School 
House,  in  said  district  No.  125  (b)  to 
vote  upon  a  site  for  same.  The  Board 
took  action,  in  calling  an  election,  on 
the  8th  day  of  May  A.  D.  1915,  at  the 
Vilage  Hall,  in  Washburn,  to  vote  for 
or  against,  each  of  the  following  pro- 
positions. 

(a)  To  build  a  new  school  house. 

(b)  To  locate  a  school  house  site. 

(c)  To  issue  the  Bonds  of  said  Dis- 
trict No.  125  to  the  amount  of  Thirty 
Five  Thousand  Dollars,  payable  $2000 
each  year  for  the  first  ten  years  and 
$3000  a  year  for  the  next  5  years,  with 
interest  payable  annually  at  the  rate 
of  5  percent.  The  election  was  held, 
and  413  votes  were  cast,  all  of  which 
were  in  facor  of  building  the  school 
house  and  for  issuing  the  bonds. 

At  the  meeting  April  24th  by  unani- 
mous vote,  it  was  determined  that  all 
funds  of  the  district,  should  be  kept 
with  the  Treasurer  of  Cazenovia 
Township  as  the  law  provides,  it  may 
be  done,  by  vote  of  the  Directors. 

The  vote  of  the  people  of  the  Dis- 
trict on  May  8th,  1915  did  not  deter- 
mine upon  a  site.  On  May  22,  1915, 
the  Board  of  Education  took  the  mat- 
ter of  Site,  into  tiheir  own  hands,  and 


by  unanimous  vote  selected  the  Peachy 
site;  the  people  having  voted  337  votes 
for  this  site,  to  317,  for  the  Shugart 
site  and  39  votes  for  the  Fisher  site; 
and  so  the  site  was  settled. 

May  18,  1915  the  board  voted  to 
send  out  detailed  Notices  to  a  number 
of  Bond  Houses,  and  receive  sealed 
bids  June  2,  1915  on  the  total  issue 
of  $35,000,  adding  assessed  value  of 
District  $1,110,000. 

Population  estimated  at  2,000. 

Acres  of  land  in  district  2,600 

June  2,  1915  all  bids  received  were 
opened  in  presence  of  a  full  board,  and 
the  representatives  of  the  Bond  House 
"and  Bolger  Mosser  and  Williams  of 
"Chicago,  bid  the  face  of  the  Bonds 
"principal,  accrued  interest,  from  date 
of  the  Bonds  to  dilivery,  and  a  pre- 
"mium  of  $425.00,  and  the  furnishing 
"and  printing  of  the  Bonds  ready  for 
"signatures;  being  the  highest  bidders 
"for  the  said  Bond  issue,  it  was  moved 
"by  Tweddale  and  seconded  by  Coen, 
"that  the  offer  of  Bolger  Mosser  and 
"William  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  be  ac- 
cepted, and  the  said  Bond  issue  sold 
"to  them."  and  on  August  27,  1915 
they  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  said 
District,  the  net  sum  of  $35,828.47. 

June  19,  1915,  the  full  Board  issued 
to  contractors,  request  for  bids  on  July 
6,  1915,  on  Architects  plans  and  spec- 
ifications furnished,  for  a  Building, 
located  on  grounds  now  practicularly 
described  as  Blocks,  one  and  two,  .in 
Peacheys  second  addition  to  the  Vil- 
lage of  Washburn,  County  of  Wood- 
ford, State  of  Illinois. 

July  6,  1915  at  one  o'clock,  at  a 
special  meeting,  all  members  of  the 
Board  present  bids  were  opened,  and 
contract  awarded  to  Henry  Lesch  & 
Co.  the  lowest  bidder,  at  the  sum  of 
$32,700.  July  29,  1915,  a  full  board 
less  the  president  being  present.  Hytex 
brick  were  chosen,  to  be  used  as  face 
brick  on  the  building. 

August  5,  1915,  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation in  session,  ordered  a  Tax  Levy 
of  $11,000  for  all  school  purposes 


August  23,  1915  Henry  Hinck  Jr. 
was  allowed  for  a  well  completed  $58. 
50  at  the  School  house. 

August  25,  1915,  a  unanimous  vote 
of  the  Board  of  Education  in  session, 
ordered  payment  $4500  purchase  price 
of  school  site,  also  an  order  to  Henry 
Lesch  &  Co.  for  $280  for  tiling  ground. 
Also  entered  into  contract  with  Henry 
Lesch  &  Co.  for  building,  complete, 
except  heating,  plumbing,  and  electri- 
cal work  at  their  bid  of  $27,500. 

September  1  1915  Board  in  session 
Faw  absent,  ordered  bid  of  J.  E. 
Wightman  &  Son  be  accepted  and 
contract  entered  into  with  them,  for 
Heating  Plumbing  and  Wiring  for  the 
sum  of  $5,300;  and  Architect  to  draw 
contract  and  Bond  for  $5,000  to  be  ap 
proved  by  Pres.  and  Clerk  of  Board. 

Sept.  11,  1915  was  held,  a  joint  ses- 
sion of  Boards  of  Education  District 
120  and  125,  who  hired  a  music  teach- 
er at  $25.00  per  month  $16.00  for  the 
former  and  $9.00  for  the  latter  dis- 
trict. 

Oct.  6,  1915  Board  of  Education  in 
regular  session  ordered  L.  Ada  Kried- 
er,  paid  $100  extra,  over  her  contract 
and  this  is  where  "they  spilled  the 
beans. v 

Dec.  1,  1915,  regular  meetinjg  of 
Board,  Tuituion  was  fixed  at  $4.00  per 
month. 

Dec.  30,  1915,  ordered  by  Board, 
that  the  buildings  of  District  No.  125 
be  insured  in  each  of  4  companies  for 
$7,500  each  against  fire,  lighning  and 
tornado. 

Feby.  2,  1916,  Board  instructed  their 
Supt.  of  School  to  notify  the  parents 
of  some  certain  pupils  who  were  habit- 
ually tardy. 

March  10,  1916  Board  entered  into 
a  contract,  with  Le  Sure  and  Hill, 
Landscape  gardner  of  Peoria,  to  make 
plans  and  drawings  and  set  the  nec- 
essary shrubery,  for  $350.00 

March  10,  1916  Board  voted  to  con- 
tract with  J.  E.  Wightman  and  Son, 
for  the  following  items,  water  supply 
as  per  architects  plans,  electric  Fix- 


tures  and  certain  miscellaneous  items  "St.  Louis,  and  presentation  of  Diplo- 
such  as  double  covering  for  return  "mas  by  Dr.  B.  N.  Watt,  Pres.  of 
pipes,  and  other  things  on  file  by  Er-  "Board  of  Education.  The'  following 
canbracht,  agent.  "named  students  were  granted  Diplo- 

March  24,  1916,  Board  adopted  the  "mas,  Leon  Frederick  Beecher,  Harry 
cap  and  gown  feature  for  graduation,  "Blackmon,  Gail  Carithers,  Roy  M. 
and  authorized  Miss  Krieder  to  pro-  "Day,  Beulah  Ehringer,  Erma  E'.iriu 
cure  them  and  placed  the  manage-  "er  Ralph  J.  Guftafson,  Lee  M.  Held, 
ment  in  her  care,  and  that  of  the  Clara  E.  Iliff,  Hazel  I.  Jury,  Ruth  M.' 
graduating  class;  and  instructed  clerk,  Kiatt,  Evelyn  McKee,  Frank  W.  Ram- 
to  order  from  "High  School  Education-  sey,  Ozell  Frank  Stateler,  Eileen 
al  Co.  200  Diplomas.  White. 

April  1,  1916  finances  show  receipts  June  17,  1916,  contract  was  let  to 
from  Aug.  27,  1915  to  April  1,  1916  the  lowest  bidder,  Clifford  Heighway, 
$45,135.68.  to  het  in  place  on  the  walls  of  the 

Amount  paM  out  to  date,  $32,176.31  [  Building,  the  Premium  National  State 
Balance  on  hand  April  1,  $12,959.37.  Black  Board,  all  complete  for  32cents 
April  8,  Dr.  B.  N.  Watt  elected  Per  square  foot. 
President  of  District  125,  and  Russell      July  5,   1916  contract  to  Clifford 
Tweddals  Clerk,  tuition  received  from  Heighway,  the  lowest  bidder,  to  tint 
Treasurer  of  Richland  Township  $336.  the  school  house  walls  and  ceilings 
April  10,  1916  a  full  Board  present,  and  Paint  the  toilet  rooms  with  three 
Pres.  absent,  the  following  Resolution  coats  of  paint,  all  complete  by  Aug. 
was  passed,  "Be  it  resolved  by  this  20>  1916  for  $295. 

"Board  of  Education  of  District  No.  JulY  17,  1916,  the  Board  contrasted 
"125  that  1st  School  be  closed  for  this  witn  Theodore  Kundtz  Co.  for  108 
"week,  2nd.  School  be  opened  on  Mon-  eclipse  Sanitary  Adjustible  Steel 
"day  the  24th  day  of  April  unless  desks  size  no  I  at  $4.68  each, 
"otherwise  ordered  by  this  Board.  3rd.  And  m  the- maze  of  contracting  for 
"on  Monday  the  24th  day  of  April,  all  chairs  furniture  and  other  prepara- 
"High  School  pupils  must  show  vac-  tions,  fitting  up  the  building  for  oc- 
"cination  marks,  or  give  good  evidence  cupation,  the  Board  of  Education 
"of  having  had  small-pox,  or  remain  stopped  July  31,  1916,  long  enough  to 
"at  home.  4th  above  section  "3"  also  leyy  a  tax,  for  next  yearsfinancial 
"applies  to  teachers  in  High  school,  needs,  $10,750  for  educational  pur- 
"5th  that  Superintendent  shall  im-  Poses,  and  $1750  to  pay  interest  on 
"mediately  send  home  any  pupils,  that  Bonds. 

"show  signs  of  any  sickness,  and  re-  AuS-  12,  1916  ordered  teachers 
"port  at  once  to  Board,  any  pupils  so  chairs,  $125.  and  two  white  sewing 
"sent  home,  shall  not  return  to  school  machines,  $52. 

"uutil  Supt.  is  satisfied  that  said  pupil  Aug.  17,  1916,  chair  appointed 
"has  no  small-pox.  6th.  clerk  be  order-  Heighway  West  and  Woltzen  com- 
"ed  to  deliver  copy  of  this  resolution  mittee  on  arrangements  for  Dedica- 
"at  once^  to  L.  Ada  Krieder,  Supt.  of  tion.  May,  2,  1917  moved  seconded 
"schools/'  and  carried  that  on  request  of  parents, 

"The  first  commencement  of  Dist.  and  boy  above  the  age  of  14,  who  may 
"No.  125  was  held  in  The  Washburn  work  on  a  farm  for  three  successive 
"Opera  House,  on  Friday  evening  the  months,  shall  receive  full  credit  in 
'.'2nd.  of  June  1916.  Class  wore  caps  classes  for  month  of  May. 
"and  gowns.  Program  consisted  of  May  2,  1917  by  full  vote  of  the 
<|music  by  "High  School  orchestra".  Board  J  W.  Carrington  was  elected 
"Address  by  Marshall  C.  Crouch  of  Principal  for  ensuing  year,  at  a  salary 


of  $150  per  month.  About  the  first 
of  May  he  was  drafted  and  obeyed  the 
call  of  his  country. 

The  second  commencement  exercises 
of  Dist.  No.  125,  was  held  in  Washburn 
Opera  House  on  Friday  evening  the 
1st  day  of  June  1917.  The  girls  Wore 
simple  inexpensive  gowns  they  had 
made  themselves,  under  the  direction 
of  their  teacher  of  Domestic  Art.  Ann 
E.  Stowell.  Program  consisted  of 
music,  by  "Temple  Saxaphone  Quar- 
tet" Address  by  Dr.  F.  A.  Newland, 
and  presentation  of  Dipluomas  by  A. 
Woltzen  President  of  Board  of  Edu- 
cation. The  class  motto  was  "Let  us 
make  us  a  name"  The  following 
named  students  were  granted  diplom- 
as, Elsie  Hawk,  Hallie  Madeline  Ire- 
land, Freida  Mae  Cordes,  M.  Lorene 
Schleigh,  Audra  Adelina  Newell,  Hel- 
en Jeanette  Burnham,  Rhena  Lucille 
McCully,  Ardis  Marie  Ghattan,  Har- 
old F.  Buckingham,  James  Bradburn. 

The  following  preamble  and  Resolu- 
tion also  apear  upon  the  records  of 
the  Board  of  Education. 

"Whereas — The  commencement  ex- 
ercises met  the  hearty  approval  of 
"the  Board  of  Education  and  Whereas 
'Thanks  to  the  instructions  of  our 
"teacher  of  Domestic  Art,  Miss  Sto- 
"well,  our  girls  made  a  most  lasty  ap- 
pearance, in  a  simple  home  made, 
"five  dollar  goyn,  and  whereas — The 
"general  management  of  commence- 
"ment  and  the  splendid  singing  of  the 
"  "Star  Spangled  Banner"  is  a  credit 
"due  Miss  Hudson,  who  at  our  re- 
quest, has  faithfully  taught  the 
"school  patriotic  songs  of  America, 
"for  the  past  two  months — Be  it  Re- 
solved that  Miss  Hudson  receive  the 
"thanks  of  this  Board,  for  her  stead- 
fast loyallty  to  our  school,  and  to 
"our  country,  and  that  Miss  Stowell, 
"is  heartly  commended  for  a  ractical 
"demonstration,  of  Household  Econ- 
omy." 

The  total  Tax  Levy  of  1917  is  $15, 
000,  Educational  $11,250,  Building 
$3750. 


Nov.  6,  1917,  State  University  ex- 
amination, with  the  following  certifi- 
cate, after  detailed  statement  of  Stud- 
ies. "The  school  was  last  inspected 
"Oct.  16,  1917,  the  above  credit  are  to 
"expire  June  30,  1920,  approved  by  the 
"council  Nov.  6,  1917.  Thomas  Corkle 
Clark,  Secretary." 

May  1,  1918  the  highly  prized  Prin- 
cipal J.  W.  Carrington  was  called  to 
follow  the  flag  of  his  country  and 
Miss  Georgie  Blackmon  was  called  to 
the  English  classes,  by  the  School 
Board  and  Miss  Alice  duMoulin,  was 
made  Superintendent  of  the  Wash- 
burn Township  High  School  to  finish 
out  the  year.  On  June  3,  1918  came 
the  graduation  exercises  which  was 
held  in  the  Gymnasium  room,  which 
was  decorated  for  the  occasion  the 
program  was  entirely  home  grown, 
except  the  address  by  DeWitt  Lowther 
of  Loagansport  Indiana  whose  sub- 
ject was  "The  Art  of  Seeing  Things" 
and  was  fine — The  Ladies  costumes 
were  "home  made"  and  admired,  the 
"girls  High  school  Glee  Club"  furnish- 
ed the  music  and  did  splendid.  Adolph 
Woltzen  delivered  the  diplomas  in  a 
few  fitting  words  of  encouragement 
to  push  on  and  keep  bright  the  motto 
they  had  chosen.  Rev.  Howard  pro- 
nounced the  invocation  and  Rev. 
Steinmetz  the  closing  prayer  with  due 
solemnity. 

Class  Motto,  "Impossible  is  Unamer- 
ican,  class  roll,  Lloyd  Beecher,  Roscoe 
Bratt,  Phillip  A.  Coen,  Lyle  Foster, 
Florence  M.  Hood,  Coral  M.  Jury,  Har- 
old B.  Jury,  Revella  Kamp,  Lester  C. 
Kief,  MayBelle  V.  Klatt,  William  M. 
Koch,  Harry  Robbins,  Helen  C.  Strahl 
Heike  M.  Tjaden,  Ella  Uebler,  Orie  A. 
Wagner,  W.  Thomas  Wallace. 

The  Board  of  Education  of  the  Wash 
burn  High  School  are  composed  of 
business  men,  professionalmen,  and 
farmers  none  of  them  with  any  ex- 
pense as  designers  or  builders  but  they 
,had  the  happy  disposition  of  always 
staying  together,  they  always  agreed, 
not  on  an  average  was  their  vote  divid- 


ed  once  a  year,  there  wasn't  a  "watch  substantial  than  beautiful,  with  its 
day  of  the  treasurey"  on  the  board,  selected  Hytex  dark  colored  brick, 
They  chose  George  H.  Miller  of  Bloom-  with  white  stone  trimmings,  and  stone 
ing'ton  their  Architect,  and  h  eshowed  ,trimmed  front,  entrance  it  appears 
.them  a  school  house  he  had  built  in  worthy  of  a  dedication  service  and 
Lexington,  they  agreel  on  a  duplicate  such  arrangements  were  in  the  mak- 
of  that  house  for  Washburn  High  ing,  when  adverse  Supreme  Court  de- 
School.  Lexington  is  a  much  larger  cisions  and  other  discouragements  sus- 
town,  and  the  Washburn  High  School  pended  the  matter,  and  it  never  come 
building  is  spacious,  for  a  city  school,  to  pass.  Going  into  use,  before  being 
The  site  for  teh  building  is  an  entire  really  complete,  and  the  trying  and 
addition  to  the  village,  designed  spec-  exciting  a  time,  of  our  country's  enter- 
ially  for  their  use,  Block  one  is  ample  ing  into  the  great  European  war,  neg- 
ground  for  the  building  and  block  two  lected  so  formal  a  matter  as  a  dedica- 
for  the  play  ground,  comprising  about  tion. 

ten  acres  to  the  south,  with  a  street  The  list  of  Teachers  who  have 
in  front  and  ample  space  between;  the  taught  in  this  school  follow,  L.  Ada 
building  is  108  feet  8  inches  on  the  Krieder,  Eulalia  Robinson,  Mary  Pel- 
front  and  81  feet  deep;  the  entrance  ter,  Ferol  Essenhardt,  Guida  Marie 
is  16x20  feet  providing  a  stairway  to  Hudson,  E.  W.  Zeppenfeld,  Lena  Cor- 
the  first  story  and  second  stories  also  zine,  Marian  Daughterty,  Nellie  W. 
the  basement  in  which  is  the  boiler  Reitz,  Anna  Stowell,  Harold  F.  Meyer, 
room  17x22  feet,  whic  furnishes  all  Alice  duMoulm,  Helen  Barnes,  J.  W. 
(the  heat  and  power  for  the  whole  Carington,  and  Georgie  Blackmon. 
building.  The  fuel  room  17x25,  ajoins  The  Janitors  who  have  served  this 
it;  the  Domestic  Science  room,  17x34  ^District  No.  125  are  Frank  W.  Combes 
The  auditorium  and  gymnasium  45x  and  Albert  Kuhlman. 
60  each,  stage  20x7  shower  room,  llx  The  Presidents  of  the  Board  of  Edu- 
13,  manual  training  room,  17x34,  store  cation  who  have  served  this  District 
room  23x17  and  the  laundry  10x12  High  School  No.  125  are  Dr.  F.  M. 
The  first  floor  has  a  corridor  76x11-4  Garrett,  Dr.  B.  N.  Watt  and  Adolph 
2  corridors  9  6x10  3  corridors  9-6x10,  ,Woltzen  and  the  members  of  the 
agricultural  room,  34x17,  principals  Board  of  Education,  who  have  served 
room,  15x17,  Office  12x20,  store  room  with  these  Presidents  in  directing  and 
6x16  girls  cloak  room,  17x22,  and  manageing  this  District,  No.  125,  are 
toilet  11x14,  Boys  cloak  room  17x22,  as  follows,  E.  B.  Coen,  Bloom  Faw,  B. 
and  a  gallery  6x60  and  on  the  second  F.  Heighway,  R.  Tweddale,  W.  G.  West 
floor,  there  is  a  central  room  for  Adolph  Woltzen  and  F.  C.  Barnes, 
assembly,  45x50,  a  corridor  11x72,  The  District  having  now,  suffered 
stairway  and  landing  9-6x34  2  recita-  all  the  pangs  of  building  and  organi- 
tion  rooms,  16x21,  Library  16x18,  3  zation,  the  Board  of  Education  having 
store  rooms  5x16,  chemistry  room,  17x  ( gained  experience,  and  teachers  settl- 
23,  physics  room,  17x29,  art  room,  16x  ed  in  their  places,  except  having  lost 
18.  a  Principal  by  the  casualties  of  war, 

The  building  makes  a  very  nice  ap-  but  gained  a  new  one,  in  whom  there 
pearance,  in  a  town  of  a  thousand  is  high  hopes,  and  expectations,  their 
people,  and  is  certainly  very  spacious,  appears  the  rainbow  of  promise  for  a 
for  a  country  District  and  looks  more  brilliant  future. — F.  N.  Ireland. 


